What shapes an NBA season isn't always reliant on the production of the pros.
Shortly after the season comes the lottery, a night that instills hope into franchises most desperate. Some years are more meaningful than others, and 2026 just so happens to be one of those years. Not only is there undeniable star power at the top of the class, but the talent runs deep.
The Atlanta Hawks, thanks to the irresponsible negotiations of the New Orleans Pelicans last summer, could find themselves at the top of the board come draft night. In a class that includes five guys who would likely go first-overall any other year, having a chance to land at the top is quite the privilege.
Hawks fans haven't had a lot of fun this season. From trading away their franchise player to once again being destined for a Play-In Tournament appearance, they've needed something overwhelmingly positive to keep track of.
This draft cycle has been exactly that. On days that the Hawks aren't playing, fans have had plenty to keep up with, as at least one of the top 2026 prospects has been in action. These nights are even more special when two of them face off, providing the ultimate look at who has the advantage over the other.
Well, Monday night brought that and more. Sandwiched between two home matchups for the Hawks, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Houston's Kingston Flemings were ready for battle against one another.
This matchup didn't go as expected, but plenty was learned.
From the jump, it was clear that fans weren't in for a standard night. Neither star began the night shooting the ball well, but their impact on both ends of the floor was noticeable. A high-stakes matchup like this often comes with early struggles, so all indications pointed to them turning it around.
The inefficiency remained, but the premier guards left their mark. Most importantly, Darryn Peterson played the whole game. Yes, something as simple as that can be notable, as the national media has tried to paint Peterson in an unfair light as the season progressed.
Despite the ongoing health concerns, the projected first-overall pick logged 30 minutes, putting up 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist. On top of this mild yet telling stat line, Peterson led his Jayhawks to a statement win over the fifth-ranked Houston Cougars.
For Houston, they needed a big night from Kingston Flemings if they wanted to take down Kansas. While Flemings recorded 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists, it wasn't enough, as his and his team's inefficiencies allowed for Kansas to take control of the game soon after the second half began.
As draft night creeps up, it's going to be intriguing to see which direction Atlanta's front office takes. They could go with a big or a forward, but it would prove wise to look at a guard, as both Darryn Peterson and Kingston Flemings are destined for long, impactful NBA careers.